IAN CAMPAIGNS TO PROTECT RESEARCH FUNDING FOR BREAST CANCER FROM THE COALITION CUTS

Ian is pressing the Tory/Lib Dem coalition government not to cut the funding for the Charity Research Support Fund (CRSF) which helps pay for the direct costs of researching a cure for Breast Cancer and other terminal illnesses .

The CRSF was set up by the previous Labour government in 2004 to help charities pay for scientists, materials, university labs and associated costs which would otherwise be unaffordable.

Ian who was speaking at an event hosted by the Breast Cancer Campaign and Breast Cancer Care , two of the organisations under threat, said “The CRSF is vital to enable charities like the Breast Cancer Campaign and Breast Cancer Care to carry out research to find treatments that will ultimately improve patient outcomes. It would be a scandal to cut the funding which is helping us work towards a cure for the most common form of cancer in the UK today. There are over 550,000 people living with a diagnosis of breast cancer in the UK and I am writing to the Chief Secretary to the Treasury to implore him to maintain the current levels of funding from the government.”

Ian who is a member of the All Parliamentary Group on Cancer continued, “I was astonished to learn that each Parliamentary constituency in the UK has on average 850 people living with a diagnosis of breast cancer, and when you take into account the families and friends who are also affected it is clear to see this funding is critical. I am thankful to charities like the Breast Cancer Campaign and Breast Cancer Care for not only the information and awareness they provide but the support they give to sufferers and their families”.